How to unlock and start your BMW with a dead key fob

In this video, we show you how to unlock and manually start a BMW that has a dead key fob. The cars featured in this video are the BMW i3 electric vehicle and the BMW X3.

Here are some high-level steps, with the more detailed ones found in the video:

1. Press the key release button on your key fob
2. Slide out the metal key blade
3. Find the keyhole in your door handle
4. Insert the key blade to pop up the covering panel
5. Insert the key blade to open the door

How to start the BMW with the dead key fob:

1. If your car has a keyhole, insert the key blade
2. If no keyhole (like on modern BMWs), just hold the key fob on the markings of the steering column

00:00 Intro
00:20 Remove hidden key
00:50 Remove keylock cap
01:22 Use key to unlock door
03:19 Start car with dead keyfob

#bmwblog #keyfob #bmwkey #bmwkeyfob

[virginia]

It's midnight, I'm in a dark, freezing, eerie and unfamiliar place and this video just saved my life!

[Streamerzhub]

WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I was stranded at a gas station and found your video. You saved me from sleeping in my car this evening after long work week. My freakin hero!!!

[Melllux]

AHA- Thank you so much, I was stranded at the gas station and couldn't start up my car, and asked people on how to do it, saw your video and it worked :)!

[ZebraGang_Dre]

Thought I was stranded at work. Thank you for this video! Positioned my fob exactly like you did in video

[jemitagipson]

Definitely worked for me. 550i. Left keys at market, return home and turn off vehicle notice keys wasn’t in the car. Ran inside to get extra key fob and it was dead. Ugh. Thought I was gonna have to catch a Uber, but this video saved me time and money. Thanks

[jettironside]

Lol I was stranded at work, and you got me home thanks 😊

[maryannecantwell]

Thank you!! You saved me and the entire Seattle airport parking garage from my car’s emergency alarm!!

[lehitole]

You saved me so much trouble. Thank you!

[Mikegees]

I do roadside and tech support for these vehicles.. so thanks for this.. made it more clear as to what to instruct customer to do…

[mollyfurball]

Thank you! Of the 2 handful of videos that came up on the search, your's the only one that explained the cover piece, especially how to put it back on, EXTRA ESPECIALLY about that little thing stick/piece that you say may break easily. I had to remove the cover outside at night without bright street lights. I had a hard time putting the cover back on. (The 1st video I watched on how to open didn't mention anything about the cover details, what the cover inside looked like, what's there, etc.). Good thing I didn't press too hard and gave up in fear of damaging something in the dark. Upon seeing your video, I inspected my cover, and indeed, that little stick piece... wasn't upright. It was bent, 90 degrees. No wonder it wouldn't cover back up, bc it being bent "sideways" couldn't fit into the corresponding hole on the door key pad. Anyways, although pleasantly surprised the mini stick was only bent, bc I had assumed I might have broken it off already last night in the dark. As I was getting ready to shop online for a replacement cover, I tried to bend the stick back to it's original position (which I know how it's supposed to be like bc of your video!), actually getting ready for worst case scenario that it wil snap and break, but attempted bc... what else could I do at this point? 1 last ditch effort. Amazingly, that stick isn't of brittle material, it actially let me bend it back 90 degrees to its original place. Finally, now I was able to snap the cover back onto the keypad, very easily, compared to the night before in the dark. Next time if I need to open again (although hope never have to, I will no longer ignore the on-board computer warning of the key fob battery level), I'll surely know what to do AND what NOT to do! Thank you for the fully comprehensive explanation!

[ODZCAPITAL]

You saved my lifee!! Sheeesh thanks to your instructions my car started with my dead key fob

[waleedkhalid]

Thank you. That really helped me and saved through all hassle of going home and getting the spare key.

[summada-kbol]

very useful information - in case of emergency need where Key Fob battery dies on you.

[JaneboG]

Omg you have saved my life thank you!!! miles away from home i had do idea what i was going to do 😢

[aldeciaandandrew]

This video just helped me now. Thank you so much! 🙏🏿

[shellyoliviaLOA]

Bless you! Thank you so much! My car battery fob died and car wouldn’t start😭😭😭😭. I’m over a hour away from home 😭😭😭. God bless you . Thank you

[scottmalby]

Mate you’ve just saved my life. Thanks bro

[Samanthia.Marita]

Thanks heaps for this, ice and snow covered car. Was super stressed until I saw this. Thanks

[sallyglover]

Thank you so much for making this video. Just saved me from having my 11 year old stranded at school.

[EmilyRandomly]

You saved me!! I was freaking out! Which I don’t understand bc I just changed the battery of the keys